Five Past Design Trends That Need to Stay Dead

Written by Posted On Tuesday, 07 August 2018 09:31

Vintage home design is all the rage right now. Look at any modern styled home and it’s inevitable that you will find yourself met with a blast from the past. Putting a modern spin on an old trend can work flawlessly, but trendsetters of the design world should be wary. When you search the past, you’re bound to bring a few skeletons to light. Relics of the past for a reason, these design trends just need to stay dead.

 

Avocado Green

Greenery may have been 2017’s color of the year, but avocado green still should not be poised for a come-back. The muddied not-quite-bright but still-not-dark hue of avocado rarely pairs well with other color palettes without looking dull and dated. While this color can add a hint of quaint timelessness in an otherwise starkly minimalist decor scheme, it’s very hard to get right. Moreover, its immediate association to shag carpets and rusting bath fixtures are bound to turn some off to your overall home design. Instead, opt for a brighter and more modern shade. The only avocado green displayed prominently in your kitchen should be the delicious bowl of guac and chips for guests to enjoy.

 

In-Ground Anything

Whether it be conversation pits or in-ground bathtubs, these went the way of the dinosaurs for a reason. Not only are they more difficult to keep clean, these features are a tripping hazard waiting to happen. Adults and seniors run the risk of slipping and falling (particularly in the bathroom where water can now spill out all four corners of the tub) and toddlers run the risk of tripping in the living area and even drowning in an unattended tub. Sure, these risks are present when anyone leaves a susceptible family member unattended in any style home… but in-ground builds are just catalyzing an accident waiting to happen.

 

Colored Bath Fixtures

Bath fixtures have become a standard white for a reason; it’s easier to match should one fixture require replacement, and it doesn’t look dated quickly. Every color, pattern and shape will have its heyday at some point, and homeowners who love to stay ahead of trends will be tempted to gut everything to keep up. But as everyone quickly learned, home necessities that require installation (and a pretty penny) should stay classic. Some might love the modern twist on that pop of color that old bathrooms offered, but color trends are finicky and it’s impossible to match everyone’s individual color preferences. Instead of creating a headache for yourself down the road, make your investment worthwhile by infusing your personal style into a less permanent fixture in the home. When millennial pink goes out of style, you’ll be thankful you don’t need to replace your bathroom sink.

 

Oversized Furniture

I get it, it’s comfy to have a giant encompassing a piece of furniture you can collapse on at the end of the day, but let’s be honest, isn’t that why we have beds? That level of relaxation doesn’t come easily to everyone… and your guests will have a hard time finding that sweet spot between “make yourself at home” and “wow, they really took that suggestion seriously.” Beyond your guests’ level of comfort, massive furniture degrades the decor and style of your home. And the oversized couch is akin to leggings of the furniture industry; sure you can class them up a bit, but they still convey that comfort is your primary goal.  Pick a reasonably sized couch or chair for your living space; you can still relax, but your home won’t be dressed in sweatpants on the daily. Plus, you won’t be met with the insurmountable task of moving a couch the size of the room when it’s time to vacuum.

 

Faux Wood Paneling

In its heyday, faux wood paneling was everywhere. While its goal may have been to look like an expensive executive's office without the hefty price point, the faux wood looked cheap and quickly became overplayed. Unfortunately, even after it went out of style, it stayed with us like a bad cold. Hard to remove, and even harder to cover up, home design experts everywhere swore off of the horrid product for good. However, with shiplap becoming a hit (and already considered overused) it’s not hard to picture some wayward soul trying to bring back a modern faux panel. If this ever happens, run fast and far from this investment-killing trend. No homeowner wants to pull out outdated paneling, and nothing is as universally classic as a simple painted wall. Save your wood features for the floor.

 

Innovation is the lifeblood of the decor world, and reimaging old themes can be a walk on a tightrope. If you discover that you’re still in love with these outdated design techniques, perhaps yours will be the home that gets it right. Truthfully though, if you find yourself looking through a glossy magazine and these antiquated techniques are coming out of the woodwork, it might be best to avoid hopping on the bandwagon. They may seem fun for a time, but just as quickly as they arrived, they’ll be placed back on the shelf. After all, they were killed for a reason.

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Brentnie Daggett

Brentnie is a writer and contributor for Rentec Direct, providers of management software and tenant screening services. Brentnie is always ready to share relevant industry news and tips for new and experienced landlords alike. To learn more about Brentnie and to discover more great tips for rental management visit www.rentecdirect.com.

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